Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Pennsylvania

• Fill out the submission form at the top of this page (ensure you have a state-issued ID or driver’s license, as well as an updated home address to prove you are a PA resident)
• Complete an online consultation with a Pennsylvania medical marijuana doctor that is part of the Medical Marijuana Approved Practitioners registry

• Pay the $199 fee ($149 consultation fee plus a $50 state application fee). (PA MMJ renewal applications are $99). Applicants participating in Medicaid, PACE/PACENET, CHIP, SNAP, or WIC may qualify to have the $50 fee waived).
• Submit an online application with the State of Pennsylvania (this will also be taken care of by the doctor who does your consultation).
• Receive your official PA MMJ card in the mail! (Physical cards may take several weeks to be delivered, but you will receive an email from the PA MMJ Registry that you can print off and use temporarily until your card arrives).

Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Card Qualifying Conditions

In order to be eligible for a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card, applicants must be over the age of 18 and able to prove PA residency. Furthermore, there are over 20 medical conditions that can ensure eligibility for an MMJ card in Pennsylvania:

• Tourette syndrome
• ALS
• Autism
• Terminal illness
• Cancer (including remission therapy)
• Anxiety disorders
• Sickle cell anemia
• CNS damage
• Spasticity
• Crohn’s disease
• Intractable or chronic pain
• Epilepsy
• PTSD
• Glaucoma
• Parkinson’s disease
• HIV/AIDS
• Opioid use disorder
• Huntingdon’s disease
• Neuropathies
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Intractable seizures
• MS

Medical Marijuana Card Renewal in Pennsylvania

Thus far, we have looked at the basics of getting a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card. However, there is plenty more relevant information which we include below. At one time, it was necessary to complete a standard renewal process. However, MMJ patients have not needed to renew their registration since July 2020. Nonetheless, you should note that the card is only valid for a year and patients must take certain steps to ensure it is updated.

Sixty days before the card expires, the state will send you an email. This is a signal for you to schedule another consultation with a doctor to receive another certification. Fortunately, it isn’t necessary to use the same physician as before; of course, you can rely on MMJCardOnline to help you.

After receiving your new certification, you can expect to receive an updated card in the mail. If you have changed address since last year, update this information on the patient portal. For the record, the renewal fee is $50, along with the cost of the doctor’s consultation. However, if you qualify for a fee reduction, the cost is halved to $25.

Caregiver Rules

As an MMJ patient in Pennsylvania, you can select a caregiver to purchase, possess and administer medical marijuana on your behalf. Having up to two caregivers is possible, and all minors are legally required to have a parent or legal guardian acting as a caregiver.

Incidentally, the state program has a separate caregiver profile from the patients. The caregiver can update their details and help up to five MMJ patients. You can only select someone to be a caregiver if they meet the following criteria:

• Aged 21+
• A resident of PA with proof of address and residency
• Complete a criminal background check
• Have no convictions for controlled substances offenses within the last five years

The caregiver process involves a fingerprint appointment that can delay their application for up to six weeks.

A Brief History of Cannabis in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana after Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 3 into law in April 2016. At the time, there were fewer qualifying medical conditions than now, and patients were only allowed to access non-smokable forms of marijuana. Attempts to fully legalize the substance have failed, so residents can only access MMJ for now.

Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Laws and Rules

According to state law, possessing any amount of marijuana without an MMJ card is a misdemeanor crime that could result in a 30-day prison term. You could receive the same sentence if found distributing weed for no remuneration.

If caught in possession of over 30 grams, it is a more serious misdemeanor, with a possible jail term of one year as the penalty. If you sell over 30 grams illegally, it is a felony crime, and you could receive a 5-year stint in prison if convicted. The same penalty applies for cultivating any number of marijuana plants.

Several PA municipalities have effectively decriminalized marijuana possession, but it is dangerous to assume that you’ll “get away with it.” In reality, applying for an MMJ card is best to get the legal protection it provides.

What Types of Cannabis Products Can I Purchase in PA?

The initial restriction on smoking marijuana flower remains in effect. Therefore, you can only buy the following products:

• Oils
• Liquids or tinctures
• Pills
• Topicals

While dry cannabis is available, you can only nebulize or vaporize it.

How Much Cannabis Can I Buy & Possess?

Pennsylvania doesn’t have a specific purchasing limit. Instead, you can buy a 90-day supply with your doctor deciding on the amount. The limit was increased from a 30-day supply in June 2021. It is essential to note that you can’t buy MMJ in the state until you have a seven-day supply of cannabis or less.

Also, your certification may outline certain restrictions on the method of cannabis consumption. Once again, this decision is made by your physician.

Where Can I Legally Purchase MMJ in Pennsylvania?

Over 160 MMJ dispensaries are operating legally in PA. However, there are concerns over big companies dominating the market. Six brands are responsible for running more than half the dispensaries in the state.

Can I Take My MMJ to a Different State?

No. Marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance, so it is illegal to transport it across state lines. Furthermore, Pennsylvania does not have reciprocity with any other state. Consequently, if you have a PA MMJ card, it only enables you to buy medical marijuana within the state.

Is It Legal to Grow Marijuana in PA?

No. It is a felony to cultivate medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, even if you have a valid MMJ card.